Episode 98 - The Egypt Game, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

We unearth a veritable pharaoh’s tomb of nostalgia as we discuss The Egypt Game, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder! Join us in considering why this is a fantasy book, ways this may have inspired the creation of Dungeons and Dragons, half-remembered childhood yard games, Stranger Danger, Klutz Press, and creating your own serotonin through magical rituals. This is a looser episode than most because we fully immersed ourselves in our book-related memories, but we think it’s one you’ll enjoy. ZKS crew unite!

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Klutz Press

Role Playing in Children’s Literature: Zilpha Keatley Snyder and The Egypt Game by Cathlena Martin

Episode 63 - The Witches of Worm, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Episode 97 - The Changeling Sea, by Patricia A. McKillip

We met up with our 3 mysterious magical boyfriends and dove into The Changeling Sea, by Patricia A. McKillip! We discuss McKillip’s glorious prose, the connection between the ocean and Peri’s coming of age, and how annoying it would be to prepare a dinner of oysters after a day of hard labor. Whether ye be a cursed sea dragon or a mischievous magic man, there’s something to appreciate - join us!

Thanks so much to Isabel for the recommendation. Let us know your favorite Patricia McKillip book, we came to her work far too late and want to explore deeper!

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First edition cover:

Preferred cover:

Other episodes mentioned:

The Forgotten Beats of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip

The Folk Keeper by Franny Billingsley

Tehanu by Ursula K. LeGuin

MINI EPISODE - How Macmillan Audio Designs Their Sci-Fi & Fantasy Audiobook Covers

Part 2 of an ongoing investigation. Many thanks to Drew and Abigail at Macmillan Audio for their wonderful insights!

Episode transcript can be found here.

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Esquire piece - Hey Dune Crypto Bros, You Doing Alright? by Adrienne Westenfeld

Macmillan Audio-designed covers mentioned:

Other audiobook covers mentioned:

Episode 96 - Searching for Dragons, by Patricia C. Wrede

We’re thrilled to return to the Enchanted Forest with Searching for Dragons, by Patricia C. Wrede! We break down Morwen’s appeal, the kinship between cats and dragons, Mendenbar and Cimorene’s blossoming romance, and Grace’s childhood ripoff of Wrede’s body of work. Plus: awkward pandemic greetings, local ginger beer recommendations, and our expert opinion on where to find the best fudge in America. Hop on your broken teddy bear-adorned magic carpet and join us!

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Other Patricia C. Wrede episodes:

• Dealing With Dragons

• The Raven Ring

• Sorcery and Cecelia

The Zelda video we mentioned where Link sounds like the audiobook’s Telemain - these are cutscenes from the CD-i Zelda games released by Phillips to promote their CD-i players in the 90’s.

Timber City Ginger Beer if you’re in the PNW!

Starved Rock fudge if you’re in central Illinois!

Great cover comparisons from the always-on-point Comparative Cover Art Tumblr. I realize now that the reason I loved our original cover (below) was because Cimorene was taking charge and Mendenbar looked confused, which is much truer to the book than the pointing Mendenbar on the library edition. More recent covers have embraced the VERY brief scene where Cimorene and Mendenbar fight a snakey wizard in an attempt to make this book feel more action-packed. Shame on you!! The cover should really be a bunch of characters arguing with each other, anyway.

Episode 95 - Half World, by Hiromi Goto

Time to brush up on your Bosch and grab your Jade Rat pendant - we read Half World, by Hiromi Goto (with illustrations by Jillian Tamaki)! We test how gnawable our pinkies are as we pay the toll and cross the crow bridge into Half World in all its seamy, terrifying glory. Join us in an exploration of purgatory, trauma management, and reincarnation - plus some lighter topics like the undeniable appeal of Baby G as a nickname. Whether you're flesh, spirit or a giant starfish with a beautiful child's face, we think you'll find something to enjoy.

This episode was a listener request - thanks, Lacey! If there's a book you'd like us to cover, email us at dragonbabiespodcast@gmail.com.

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Big fans of Jillian Tamaki - while I highly recommend Super Mutant Magic Academy, Skim and This One Summer, I’d also like to direct you to her and Michael DeForge’s now-defunct butter tart ranking Instagram, Tart Quest

Knifepoint Horror podcast

The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch

Gao Zhen Xi illustration by Jillian Tamaki